It's here! The Phoenix Force is here! Well, almost. This week marks the launch of Avengers vs. X-Men with issue #0, a nifty prologue installment that should do enough to get new readers on board, even if you haven't been following either franchise these last few years.

It's worth noting that there was something up with Diamond Distributors this week that caused some books to be delayed in certain areas. American Vampire was affected for sure, but we've also gotten reports for a similar situation with Secret Avengers and Invincible, too. Just a heads up.

As always, if you want to participate in the MyIGN comics reviews next week, stay tuned to Joey's MyIGN blog for information.

As always, we grade on a 20-point scale from 1-10, with a longer analysis for the most anticipated books of the week.

"All-Star Western offers up two new reasons why readers should pick up this Wild West series -- Nighthawk and Cinnamon. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray continue to expand DC's Western lineup by dusting off these two heroes. Their inclusion is one of several reasons why this new arc is a refreshing change of pace from the previous one. Gotham has been replaced by New Orleans, Hex is slightly more out of his depth, and there's a greater sense of fun to the whole endeavor." -Jesse

7.5

American Vampire #25

Written by Scott Snyder | Art by Rafael Albuquerque

"Wow, there are some revelations in this book. Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque wrap up 'Death Race' with one hell of a finale. The throwdown between Travis and Skinner Sweet winds up being a fantastic juxtaposition of the old and new school (or cool versus uncool), as well as provides a jaw-dropping twist to help explain how Skinner survived the ordeal in Taipan. If that wasn't enough, the book's epilogue makes me feverishly excited for next month's issue." -Erik

9.0

"With Aquaman #7, Geoff Johns busts the mythology of Aquaman wide open. There's a lot to take in for new readers, some of which will probably fly over their heads initially. We just have to have faith in Geoff Johns that he can pull everything together and make this new group of Atlantean characters fit into the Aquaman world post-New 52 relaunch." -Erik

8.0

"The tragedy of Bane is that he's a great villain who's so rarely written well. Gail Simone was the first writer in a long time to really touch on the strange nobility and fearsome will that define him. Free of the influence of Venom, he's a Machiavellian genius with an indomitable will. The end of Secret Six promised a big future for Bane in the New 52. Instead, we have Batman: The Dark Knight." -Jesse

3.0

"The art of The Flash never ceases to amaze me. This is another jaw-droppingly beautiful issue thanks to artist Francis Manapul (with the help of Brian Buccellato's colors). Whether it's just two characters conversing or a sequence depicting the Flash running through a wormhole with time distorting around him, The Flash #7 is a visual stunner from start to finish." -Erik

8.5

"The New Guardians have come face to face with Invictus, the uber powerful angel creature bent on doing something quite evil with his giant star system replica. Here readers will learn why Invictus is acting so devilish, but the information comes with such heavy exposition that even an all-out brawl does little to reinvigorate the story. Still, Tony Bedard manages to maintain the entertaining character interactions that have made this title so charming from the start." -Joshua

6.5

I, Vampire #7

Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov | Art by Andrea Sorrentino

"What started as a twisted vampire love story (the good kind) has now exploded into an epic-sized conflict threatening to consume all magic and probably destroy the world too. This 'Rise of the Vampires' crossover started in Justice League Dark #7 and is continued here. Despite the fact that Joshua Hale Fialkov was telling an incredibly entertaining story all by his lonesome, he makes the best of this crossover and delivers yet another knockout issue with the help of Andrea Sorrentino's macabre, visceral artwork." -Joshua

8.5

Justice League Dark #7

Written by Peter Milligan | Art by Admira Wijaya & Daniel Sampere

"JL Dark #7 allows Peter Milligan to explore the team acting in a more proactive manner as they battle vampires in Gotham City. One could say this issue provides a better idea of how the team dynamic will play out going forward, except that Milligan won't be around much longer. The fact that this is just the latest in a strong of enjoyable issues suddenly becomes a major bummer." -Jesse

8.0

New Deadwardians #1

Written by Dan Abnett | Art by I.N.J. Culbard

"Dan Abnett and artist I.N.J. Culbard's new Vertigo series is quite charming for a book depicting class warfare between vampires and zombies. In this first issue, Abnett introduces us to the book's main protagonist, Chief Inspector Suttle, as well as some of the book's ancillary cast members. Everyone from Suttle to his butler to his mother is depicted with enough characterization in this first issue to make you come away interested in continuing their adventures. Abnett's decision to set this book in England during the early 1900s just makes the cast of proper English folks all the more enjoyable." -Erik

8.5

"As the clock ticks closer to midnight for Scalped, I'm finding myself sadder and sadder. I'm really, really going to miss this series when it's over. Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera's fascinating crime drama has been one of the best comics hitting shelves since its inception and it's clear that the series isn't showing any signs of slowing down as it starts sprinting towards the finish line. Scalped #57 is indicative of that. Aaron brings all the great characterization we've come to expect from this series to this issue and it makes for one hell of a 20-page comic as the dominoes start to topple over. To put it in layman's terms: I think Scalped is as close to something like Breaking Bad as it comes, and that's saying a lot for fans of drama fiction." -Erik

9.5

"Spaceman continues as Orson makes an escape with Tara in tow, which allows the pair to continue discovering new facets of the bleak, flooded world that Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso have been building. The superstar team may be telling a sci-fi story, but the tone does not feel too far from their acclaimed series 100 Bullets, which had themes of corruption, crime, and power. This world is populated with thugs, murderers, and betrayers of a different kind, which makes it all the more fascinating as to how big, slow-minded Orson keeps coming out ahead." -Joshua

8.0

"Issue #7 sees Keith Giffen come on board as writer an co-plotter, with Dan Jurgens serving as co-plotter and layout artist, and Jesus Merino sticking around to handle the finished art. Giffen and Jurgens aren't exactly young, up-and-coming creators either, but the book still manages to feel far more fresh and contemporary than it has up to now." -Jesse

7.5

"Teen Titans #7 is not a very good comic book. It's pretty and nice to look at, but once you sit down to actually read the thing, it completely unravels. It's over-written, wordy, confusing and boring. Really, it feels like it was written in 1996, back when all those things were industry standards and people generally just wanted super detailed artwork and fight scenes." -Benjamin

4.0

"With each passing month it becomes more and more clear that DC is building towards a larger conflict with its various Wildstorm characters. That trend continues in Voodoo #7. Josh Williamson continues to deliver answers about the nature of Priscilla Kitaen and her connection to the Daemonites, but also how the conspiracy connects to other characters and conflicts. In some ways it's a shame this series can't lead a more independent existence. On the other hand, there's a definite sense of payoff to reading this issue." -Jesse